Rhinos rally in each half but can't knock off Brunswick

Gaston College fell behind by 10 points in each half only to rally each time before falling 73-69 at Brunswick Community College.

The Rhinos (9-14, 2-8) fell behind 28-18 in the middle of the first half before tying the game at 30 and trailing 41-36 at halftime. In the second half, the teams were tied at 43, 45 and 47 before the host Dolphins (14-8, 7-2) took a 65-55 lead with 10:47 left to play.

Gaston College got as close as 71-68 with 2:10 to play but Brunswick Community College picked up three of their 18 offensive rebounds in the final 1 1/2 minutes of the game.

"The defense played harder and better than yesterday," said Gaston College interim head coach Jermaine Williams, whose team had lost 85-69 at Cape Fear Community College on Friday night. "But we still had a lot of plays where we contest the shot from the shooter and yet the shooter gets his rebound and they either keep the ball or he just scores."

Yarayah Evans (22 points, 10 rebounds) had his third straight double double and Asil Hoyle (7 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists) had his first career double double.

Other standouts in the balanced Rhinos' attack were Kush Carter (13 points, 3 assists), Ajaden Gray (9 points), Jamal Ukaegbu (7 points, 4 rebounds), Tyheim Love (6 points) and Judah Ravenell (3 points, 10 rebounds).

"We were able to score better and more efficiently with the paint and mid range game, but left opportunities for more chances to score," Williams said.

The loss was the team's third in the current five-game road trip that ends on Thursday in a 7 p.m. game at Richard Bland.

"I see the potential of the group," Williams said. "I see where we are right there in the thick of it. Winning won't be easy but it takes the collective effort to want the win for the team - not talk about it - to do whatever it takes for us to win.
"We will continue to practice, get better and look for winning results."